Adjustable flow fountain type washer device



W. E. BERNDSEN 2 SHEETS'-SHEET 1 INVENTOR. WILLIAM E. BERNDSEN M vawfl ATTORNEYS Dec. 11, 1951 ADJUSTABLE FLOW FOUNTAIN TYPE WASHER DEVICE Filed June 29. 1949 Dec. 11, 1951 V w. E. BERNDSEN 2,577,872

ADJUSTABLE FLOW FOUNTAIN TYPE WASHER DEVICE Filed June 29, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 IN VEN TOR.

WILLIAM E. BE RNDSEN BY ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 11, 1951 ATENT OFFICE in u szrAisLii F'LoW FOUNTAIN william ,Efiiiiidsen, Cleveland, .Ohio

This invention relates to washer devices, particiilarly to a mobile washer {device that is adapted to'be coupled to acleaning 'fiiiidsource, such as a hose, and to have the cleaning fluid ejected through the washer device "in a controllablem'anner. 1 1

'In' usinga" mobile washer device for a common use, such as washing-Van automobilejit frequently is desirable to have a rathervigorous-cleaning action effected: by the fluid cleaningmaterial 'used? IZThllS in cleaningmud' and other dirt from an "automobile; it usually *is desired toplay a ffast moving stream of cleaning-fluid against the vehicle, particularly when cleaning underneath jthefenders or body offthe vehicle. However, when the general "cleaning action is to be "e'ffectedpat suchftimefit is d'e'siredto have the cleaning fiuid come but throughthe cleaning material orpa d in th'e form'of a relati'vely slow-moving currentwhi'chwould completely saturate the cleaningpad with cleaning fluid at all times and have such cleaning fluid flowing through the The general object of the present invention is to provide'a washer device of the class described wherein the device is' characterized by the fact "thata controllable streamer cleaning 'fiuid is available at all times inthe mobile washer device.

' Yet another object of the invention isvto provide a mobile washer device which ispf relaa 'tively inexpensive but lasting constructions- A further 'object of the invention 1 is to provide a washer device which has avalve member associated therewith for controlling the stream of cleaning fluid andthe 'Another object of the invention is to provide an automobile Washing device wherein" a stream of fast-moving liquid is 'available in the device without-passing" through a" cleaning sponge "associated therewith'whereas as'loW-moving stream of cleaning fluid also canbebrovi'ded and" be ing "a portion of -the washer device;

caused to flow 'thi'ough the clea'ning pad form- I patho'fisame thr ugh the washerldevice. 7

* A further object of the" invention is to pro- I vide a readily movable valve platefin a washer device wherein-"the valve'fplate is atleast 'partially supported' by-Washer' fmeans which amay n J un aaiaias riauv qao e (oils-.1305

tected against contact with tlr object being For a betterunderstanding of: the present companying drawings, wherein:"

' "Fig.1 is an elevation-of a-Washer device embodying the' 'principles of the invention:

- Fig.2 is abottom plan, enlarged; 0f the device of Fig.- "1 with portions thereof being broken awayan'd some being shown in section to -show theccanstruction of the device;

invention,-reference should be had to the ac of-Figr2; g v Fig.4- is another vertical section taken on line 4 5 of'Fig; 2;"and' I Y .7 Fig; 51s a fragmentary plan of a portion of the device of the invention taken on line 5-5 of 7 line 5-3 Inorder to understand the details of the construction shown in the'drawings; the portions of the washer device ofthe invention willxbe described in detail hereinafter.'- The drawings ill u'stratea washer device I0 which includes a backing "platel I, usually made from a rigid metallic {plate of'suitable-composition. This backingplate' ll i'sshown as having a control and coupling tube of handle 12' rigidly securedthereto" and extending from the-back surface of the backingplate 1 I Usually the tube has a right angled bendtherein' to provide: a convenientrigid handle" device for use in maneuvering/and controlling-whe washer device! 0. The exposed send of the tube {Wis-adapted to engagewitha suitable source of cle'ani'ng -fluid such as a-conventional-garden h'ose l3. Thus the washer device ofthe-inventionis" I mobile: but yet still has" a constant source of cleaning fluid, usually liquid,

supplied-thereto through the hosed-3: Cleaning' action preferably is-obtained by use of thesponge" pad l4 'whichis removably secured ;to the' 'face surface'of 'the'bacleing plate n". This sponge pad f] Q is "of the general' type disclosed and covered by 'm y c0- pending'"-patent application ser: No. 6 20 893, nbw "Pateht Nof 2A86A02, dated October' '25f1-9493 ln thi's" type'kof a re- 'i'novablepad'and backing I plate: construction, the backin plate ll =is'shown asprovided?withi'a pair or in-turried-fiaiig'esl 5 that may be formed 3 integrally with the backing plate H. Usually the backing plate II has a continuous edge flange I6 formed thereon extending completely around the margins thereof with the retaining flanges I5 being provided at the outer ends or edges of the flange I6 at the end portions of the backing plate II. To engage with the retaining flanges 15, the sponge pad I4 is shown as provided with a pair of resilient, rectangularly shaped wire looped reinforcing members I'I. These reinforcing members I! are resilient and are deflectable over the entire length thereof. The members I? are provided with ends I8 that are positioned adjacent each other at one end of the pad I4. The remainder of the reinforcing members I"! are embedded in the pad I4 except for the portion thereof forming a continuous end of the member IT with such end being opposed to the actual ends l8 of the wire member used in forming the reinforcing member I I. In other words, the reinforcing members Il may be formed from a wire loop which originally is of substantially U-shape and which then can be telescoped into engagement with longitudinal extending holes formed in the sponge pad I4. After such wire means are engaged with the pad I4, then the ends I8 thereof can be folded inwardly upon the pad to engage the wire tightly therewith and form an excellent reinforcing member therefor by which the pad I4 can easily be removably snapped in under the flanges I5 to be engaged with the backing plate II. These reinforcing members may merely be bowed outwardly at the center thereof when the end portions of same are snapped in under the flanges [5 to engage therewith, or the actual ends I8 of the member I! can be laterally distorted and then threaded into engagement with one of the flanges I5 after the opposite end portion of the members have been engaged with the corresponding-opposite flanges I5. It will be appreciated that in some instances only one reinforcing member I1 might be provided for the pad I4, or the pad I4 might be otherwise secured to the backing plate in either a removable or a fixed manner, as desired, although the preferred form of the invention is shown and described herein.

} As an important feature of the present invention, a valve device is provided intermediate the tube I2 and the pad I4 in order to control discharge of cleaning liquid from the tube I2.

This valve device in the present embodiment of the invention comprises a valve plate I9 that has a plurality of arcuate slots formedtherein at circumferentially spaced portions of the plate and through which rivets or other suitable securing devices 2| extend to secure the valve plate slidably to the front surface of the backing plate II. An extension or control flange 22 is shown provided on the valve plate I9 and extends therefrom out through an arcuate slot 23 provided in the backing plate I I whereby such control flange 22 is readily accessible at all times for moving the valve plate I9 arcuately with relation to the backing plate II. The valve plate I9 has a plurality of discharge ports 24, usually of substantially elliptical shape formed in circumferentially spaced portions thereof spaced outwardly radially with relation to the center of movement of the valve plate I9. These valve ports 24 are adapted to be moved into register with discharge ports 25 that are provided in the backing plate I I, The arcuate movement of the valve plate I9 is suflicient to open or close the ports 25, as desired. Furthermore, the construction of the valve device of the invention is such that only a limited movement of the valve plate is necessary in order to effect a complete reversal of the valve action.

Another striking feature of the present invention is that a discharge tube or nozzle 26 is provided for the tube I2 and with such nozzle 26 being fixed in relation thereto by being secured to the backing plate II. This discharge nozzle 26 registers with a hole or bore 21 that is formed in the sponge pad I 4 and extends iherethrough from the front to the rear surface thereof. Thus, regardless of the position of the valve plate I9, a stream of water will pass through the discharge nozzle 26. Hence when the valve plate is in its closed position, the fluid pressure provided will very forcibly eject the water from the hose I3. However, when valve plate I9 is open, liquid supplied through the hose I3 and tube I2 goes into the sponge pad I4 and only a relatively small stream is weakly ejected from the nozzle 26.

Usually in order to aid in positioning the valve plate I9 and to aid in securing a desired shut-ofi of such shut valve, the valve plate I9 is separated from the backing plate II by a washer disc 28. The washer 28 is made from any conventional material and normally is concentrically positioned around the nozzle 26, being substantially equal in diameter to the substantially round portion of the valve plate. Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing best show that the washer 28 has a plurality of ports 29 formed therein usually of exactly the same size as the ports 25 and continually registered therewith. Thus the washer 28 retains the valve plate I9 in substantial parallel relationship to the backing plate II and prevents contact therebetween while insuring good valve closing action by the plate I9. The rivets 2I are secured at their upper ends to the plate II and pass snugly through the washer 28 to position same and freely pass through the slots 29 to engage with the farther side of the valve plate I9 to position same in sealed but movable relation to the plate II.

In order to prevent the backing plate II from ever injuring or marring any article being washed by the device Ill, a conventional rubber bumper 38 is shown engaged with the edge portion of such backing plate. It will be appreciated that in any embodiment of the invention any desired number of discharge ports may be provided and they may be of any desired figuration or shape. Likewise, in some instances, it'may be desired to use a different type of a member than the tube I2 for engaging with a garden hose I3 and any suitable coupling member may be used. Such coupling member may also serve as a handle for the washer device in some instances.

The backing plate II may be formed of any desired material and a plastic plate would probably not require a bumper strip 30. The washer 28 may be secured to the backing plate II or to the valve plate to register permanently with the ports in either of such members. The pad I4 used may be of any desired construction and be secured to the backing plate in any conventional manner.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a washer device, a backingplate having at least one opening therein, a rigid control and coupling tube secured to said backin'g'plate and plate on-xesaid backing iplate- 'slidabl e ghteen extending H3" tlieii i fiii t fiereof, said tube ,i e l ea t d a eccupled 3?- I 1 ing liquid and communicating'w'thesaid'ropeni vefi the opening therein ant'l dontrolling liquid i flow from said tube, said sponge pad having a hole therein extending therethrough from the front to the rear surface thereof, a discharge nozzle on said backing plate and protruding through said valve plate to extend into said hole in said sponge pad. said discharge nozzle communicating with said tube, said control valve plate having a discharge port in appreciably spaced relation to said discharge nozzle but movable into communication with said tube by registration with said opening in said backing plate for discharge of cleaning liquid into said sponge pad, and a washer for said valve plate positioned intermediate said backing plate and said valve plate to aid in positioning said valve plate in an adjustable manner, said valve plate being movable to open or close said discharge port,

2. In a washer device, a backing plate having at least one opening therein, a rigid control and coupling tube secured to said backing plate and extending from the rear surface thereof, said tube being adapted to be coupled to a source of cleaning liquid and communicating with said opening in said backing plate, a sponge pad engaged with said plate and positioned on the front surface thereof over the opening therein, a control valve plate on said backing plate slidably positioned intermediate said backing plate and said sponge pad on the front surface of said backing plate over the opening therein and controlling liquid flow from said tube, said sponge pad having a hole therein extending therethrough from the front to the rear surface thereof, and a discharge nozzle on said backing plate and protruding through said valve plate to extend into said hole in said sponge pad, said discharge nozzle communicating with said tube, said control valve plate having a discharge port therein for registration with said opening in said backing plate and communication with said tube for discharge of cleaning liquid into said sponge pad, said valve plate being movable to open or close said discharge port.

3. In a washer device, a backing plate having at least one opening therein, means for providing said backing plate with a supply of cleaning liquid, said means communicating with said opening in said backing plate, a cleaner pad positioned on the front surface of said plate over said opening, a control valve on saidbacking plate movably positioned intermediate said backing plate and said cleaner pad on the front surface of said backing plate over the opening therein and controlling liquid flow from said means, said cleaner pad having a hole therein extending therethrough from the front to the rear surface'thereof, and a discharge nozzle on said backing plate and protruding through said valve plate to extend into said hole in said sponge pad, said discharge nozzle communicating with said means, said control valve having at least one discharge port therein for registration with said opening in said backing plate to communicate with said means for discharge of cleaning liquid into said sponge pad,

" ="said' cohtrol valveib'eing rziiovablerto open'rorclose said: 'disclia'rge port.

I, 4; Ina washerz'devicd' a backing plate withan i o'pening': therein, arcohtrol and liquidrsupplyf tube engaged? with s'aidtbacking'iplate=fand extending and the rear; surfacther'eofiniregistration" with thew-same therein, a cleaner Ipad'enga'ged i-with csamr plateron' fthe front surface thereof "over said 2 0p ening -thereini a control Wa1Vei'0n the front" of said backing plate positioned intermediate said eaekmgipiateanesauteed for controlling liquid flow from said tube through said opening in said backing plate, said pad having a hole therein extending therethrough from the front to the rear surface thereof, a permanently open discharge nozzle for said tube carried by and extending through said backing plate to communicate with said tube and extending into said hole in said sponge pad, said control valve having a plurality of discharge ports therein and movable into communication with said tube for discharge of cleaning liquid into said sponge pad, said backing plate having apertures therein for registration with said discharge ports in said control valve and communicating with said tube, and washer means for said control valve positioned intermediate said backing plate and said control valve.

5. In a washer device, a backing plate, a control and coupling tube secured to said backin plate and extending from the rear surface thereof, a sponge pad removably engaged with the front surface of said plate, a control valve plate positioned on said backing plate intermediate said backing plate and said sponge pad in communication with the end of said tube and controlling liquid flow from said tube by movement of the valve plate, said control valve plate having a plurality of circumferentially spaced controllable discharge apertures for discharge of cleaning liquid into said sponge pad, washer means for said control valve plate, said backing plate having a plurality of apertures therein adapted to register with at least some of the apertures in said valve plate when the valve plate is in its discharge position, said backing plate apertures registering with said tube, said sponge pad being positioned over said apertures in said backing plate to receive liquid from said tube when said control valve plate is in its discharge position, and means securing said valve plate to said backing plate for limited movement from a position substantially registering said apertures in said valve and backing plates to a closed position with relation thereto, and said Washer means comprises a disc positioned intermediate said valve plate and said backing plate for sealing around the apertures in said backing plate.

6. In a washer device, a backing plate, a control and coupling tube secured to said backing plate and extending from the rear surface thereof, a cleaner pad removably engaged with the front surface of said plate, a control valve plate positioned on said backing plate intermediate said backing plate and said pad in communication with the end of said tube and controlling liquid flow from said tube by movement of the valve plate, said control valve plate having a plurality of circumferentially spaced controllable discharge apertures for discharge of cleaning liquid into said pad, said backing plate having a plurality of apertures therein adapted to register with at least some of the apertures in said valve plate when the valve plate is in its discharge position, said backing plate apertures registering with said tube, said pad being positioned over 7 8 said apertures in said backing plate to reoeive v V REFERENCES CITED liquid from said tube when said control valve is The foll in Tami-ewes are f c m the in its discharge position, means securing, said fil this patch, valve plate to saidbacking plate for limited I I movement-from a position substantially register- 5 SEJTATES N ing said apertures in said valve plate and back- .Number .h Name 7 Date ing plates to a closed position with relation therer 1,193,086 Thomsen Aug. 1, 1918 to, and a permanently open nozzlecarried by 1,506,305 zKelly- Aug. 26, 1924 said backing plate and connecting said tube and 1,739,872 ,Soss Dec. 17, 1929 said pad. 10 2,350,469 Litka 'June 6,1944 

